California’s avocado sector is expected to record its smallest harvest in almost two decades, with crops set to fall to 1990 levels, following an unexpected heat wave in the US state in spring last year that decimated avocado tree blossoms.
The California Avocado Commission told the media that only 95,254 tonnes were likely to be harvested this season between January and August, which would make this year’s crop the state’s smallest since the 1990 harvest was hit by a severe freeze.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the crop has also been affected by California-wide water restrictions that began last January and by the aftermath of wildfires in San Diego County in 2007.
“We’ve had some really big blows,” Wayne Brydon, the Avocado Commission’s field services manager told the newspaper. “The heat was timed so unfortunately for the state the crop was in. On top of that, the water shortages compounded it.”
As a result of the predicted shortfall, growers’ returns are expected to drop to an estimated US$220.5m compared with just over US$327m last year.
Mexican and Chilean exporters are both expected to benefit from the reduced US crop. According to Mexican daily El Financiero, Mexico – the world’s largest avocado grower – could export as much as 225,000 tonnes of avocados to the US during 2009.
Chile is also expected to export an estimated 81,646 tonnes of avocados to the US market during the year.
Kiwifruit production in California is also forecast to fall to its lowest level in 20 years following frost damage to vines in spring 2008, with this year’s harvest expected to drop as low as 4m tray equivalents.
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